UT Administration to act tough against violators

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 3

The UT Administration will act tough against student parties indulging in defacement of public property across the city during the coming PU Campus Student Council elections.

Besides informing the nodal officer, who is the in charge of the PU elections, about the UT move, the district magistrate has decided to register FIRs against erring student bodies and individuals.

Under the West Bengal Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1976 (West Bengal Act 21 of 1976), extended to the Union Territory of Chandigarh, the magistrate has asked the police, the MC and the PU authorities to act tough against the defaulters.

According to the law, whoever defaces any property in public view by writing or marking it with ink, chalk, paint or any other material, except for the purpose of displaying the memo and address of the owner or occupier of such property, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to six months, or with a fine, which may extend to Rs 1,000, or with both.

A senior UT official said in routine, the MC sends cases of defacement of property to the district magistrate, who in turn forwards these to the UT SSP.

Mohali district officials have been asked to book candidates or members of parties if they are found indulging in defacement of public property during the coming student elections.

Last year, a city resident had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the Administration and the MC to take action against people and organisations defacing public property by sticking posters, bills and writing slogans on these.